FERDINAND INJURY CONCERN

Rio Ferdinand the England and Manchester United defender, left The Riverside stadium draw MIDDLESBROUGH 2-2 MANCHESTER UNITED with his foot in a protective plastic case, indicating potential concerns at the heart of the United defence.

With Nemanja Vidic injured and big games coming thick and fast against Arsenal, Blackburn and Chelsea to follow Wednesday’s Champions League return match against Roma, Ferguson is desperate not to lose another key defender.

Alex Ferguson:

We are really missing Vidic, and I think it did compromise Rio’s and generally the back four’s performance

Having not conceded a goal in 461 minutes of league football before Sunday, United looked far more vulnerable with Wes Brown alongside Ferdinand at centre-back and John O’Shea at right-back.

Pique came on and did absolutely terrific, he was absolutely marvellous and I think that helped us actually

Hopefully it’s not serious with Rio but he was limping for too long, the danger was to keep him on when he was limping and not at his full level.